ALTER EGO WHERE is the boyish Poet WE Who used with you to write? Alas! his songs are ended : Beneath a flowering myrtle, He had grown older, graver,— He had grown graver, sadder, His voice, once clear and joyous, What should he do but dwindle, His lyre was carved for pleasure, So, 'neath a flowering myrtle 1923 [1888 FOR A CLOSING PAGE "Never a palinode!"—" Q." IFE, like a page unpenned, Nothing, from end to end, Marring its brightness. Surely a field to claim Steadfast endeavour? Where one might win a name Sounding for ever? Now-to review it all What a prosaic, Forced, ineffectual, Plans that ne'er found a base; Wingless upyearning; Speed that ne'er won the race; Fire without burning; Doubt never set at rest, Stifle or falter it; Good that was not the best ... Yet-would you alter it? Yet-would you tread again All the road over? Face the old joy and painHemlock and clover? Yes. For it still was good, Buoyant of heart and blood; Glad for the earth and sky; Glad for mere gladness; Grateful, one knew not why, Even for sadness; Finding the ray of hope Gleam through distresses; Building a larger scope Out from successes; Blithe to the close, and still Tendering ever, Both for the Good and Ill, Thanks to the GIVER. So, though the script is slow, Blurred though the line is, Let the poor record go, Onward to Finis. IN AFTER DAYS TN after days when grasses high O'er-top the stone where I shall lie, Though ill or well the world adjust My slender claim to honoured dust, I shall not question or reply. I shall not see the morning sky; But yet, now living, fain were I |